It will likely take a professional eye to determine whether your car’s engine needs to be replaced. Sometimes, a portion of the engine can be rebuilt and this will solve the problem rather than having to have the entire engine replaced. Louisville Automotive Shop would be happy to inspect your vehicle’s engine and help you decide what the next step should be. Here are five signs that your engine needs to be replaced.
Cooling Problems
If your engine is overheating all the time, you might need to consider replacing all or part of the cooling system depending on the problem. It is possible that the overheating problems can be resolved with a coolant flush and refill. This being said, if there is severe damage to the cooling system or engine, such as a cracked engine block or cracked head gasket, your engine will need extensive work performed to repair it.
Engine Knocking
Sometimes, engine knocking is caused by the octane rating of the fuel you put in your automobile. If you know you use the right octane, chances are the engine is knocking because there is a detonation problem in the combustion chamber. This problem can include worn rod bearings that make the pistons crash against the cylinder walls as they go up and down. This is an extensive repair. The rods can also break, and when they do, you can no longer drive your automobile.
Exhaust Smoke
Exhaust smoke should be minimal if not invisible. Another sign that you might need to replace your car’s engine is excess exhaust that flows out of the tailpipe constantly. The color of the exhaust helps us pinpoint the problem. If your engine is burning fuel, the exhaust will be black. If your engine is burning oil, the exhaust will be blue or gray. If your engine is burning coolant, the exhaust will be white.
Metal Shavings
If you see metal shavings in your motor oil, do not drive your automobile. These shavings are an indication that your engine is disintegrating. If you try to drive your automobile when it’s in this condition, it will most likely die in less than 30 minutes. If your engine is disintegrating, it needs to be replaced.
Power Loss
Finally, if you are experiencing significant power loss in your car’s engine, it probably needs to be replaced. Significant power loss suggests that the engine has reached the end of its life.
As we said above, Louisville Automotive Shop in Louisville, KY, would be happy to inspect your car’s engine thoroughly and discuss with you what your options are. Call us today to schedule an appointment.
